Why does Iran seem to only fixate upon war with Israel above any other goal? In fact, the need for an apocalyptic war against the Israeli state is the centerpiece of their religion and the key to unlocking paradise, in their estimation. The issue of the Shia's messiah brings to light perhaps the most important aspect of the warmongering now occurring in the Middle East--that the bloodlust is religious in nature and not likely to go away on its own, ever. In fact, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently stated he'd like to see Israel gone. So how do we understand Shia Iran's seeming eternal hatred for Israel?